Decentralized architectures make applications resistant to security threats, but as cloud migrations become more common, the hurdles for a company's security teams are increasing. Cloud companies are keeping their security applications separate. Moreover, security specialists have to get the latest updates for all of the companies' apps, including new cloud services, and then be able to update and check the application security certificates to ensure that bad actors can't take advantage of new exploits or vulnerabilities.
Another challenge that developers face is understanding how to support custom deployments. Most customers typically have a domain or organization that installs applications into servers worldwide. Often, these organizations have a little more flexibility than a large company that may have dedicated teams of developers and IT pros.
The sheer volume of security apps also requires constant monitoring and updating from a single control point. The business can also decide which apps should go into the cloud, allowing teams of developers to focus on high-value apps that can easily scale and evolve.
The cloud provider will need to keep these applications and customer data secure.
Suppose security professionals decide to host security applications in the cloud. In that case, a single company must provide that security from the cloud provider's perspective. Many organizations struggle with their first foray into the cloud as security professionals. They assume the risk is too big, so they move forward without proper planning.
Security experts with significant experience working with large customers have learned that they need to treat the cloud as a security risk, not a cure-all. Having the flexibility and resources to adapt to new security risks is crucial.
Suppose you're a customer with dedicated security teams. In that case, it may be better to use a third-party security vendor to do the security work. That ensures that the security requirements of your organization will be met. Still, it also prevents you from managing multiple vendors, maintaining your policies, and keeping up to date with changes in how cloud services and the apps run on them are operated. A third-party security vendor will ensure that a company uses the right technologies and services to manage risk and protect customer data.
Another advantage to working with a security vendor is that you can leverage their teams to focus on high-value application development, security analysis, and cyber threats. They will be able to give you updates, alert you to any issues, and help you remediate any breach in the cloud that might compromise your data. In addition, the vendors provide complete product support, including dedicated phone support and 24/7 help desk services. That allows you to have a single point of contact for all of your questions and issues.
Vendors have to balance providing resources that meet your security needs, and cloud providers need to offer security applications that meet the expectations of their customers. Security professionals and cloud companies must learn to work together to keep apps and data safe from the complexity of the cloud.
Collaboration Between Security Professionals and Cloud Providers
After months of R&D, new business models, and technical challenges, organizations are finally finding the balance that allows them to exploit the full potential of the cloud. The journey into cloud computing can be daunting. Still, putting our applications into the cloud isn't just about reducing IT costs. It's about reducing business risk and delivering a better customer experience.
The security professionals we spoke with for this article were acutely aware of the challenges of a hybrid IT approach. Still, they also understood that putting their organizations' apps into the cloud meant they could operate in a new and better way. If they can provide the security needed to the apps that run in the cloud, they can make their customers more productive, safe, and secure.
Cloud security is a big challenge, and the security professionals we talked to are acutely aware of this. But, these professionals also know that putting their apps into the cloud means they can operate in a new and better way. Security pros are encouraged to focus on the foundations of security and help their companies build a fully secure platform.
At the same time, cloud service providers and their customers recognize the importance of security and invest in it. They need to collaborate to ensure that customers aren't getting hacked, which means taking on the shared responsibility of providing adequate security for the applications and data they're storing. Security professionals and cloud providers must work together to achieve the best of both worlds.
Equip yourself with the latest skills and expertise in the fastest growing field of cybersecurity. Enroll today in the Best PGP in Cyber Security and stay abreast with the latest trends.
Master the Basics of Security
Simplilearn offers various options for training your team members in the basics of cybersecurity to enable them to become cybersecurity practitioners. For example, our Post Graduate Program in Cyber Security is a six-month, fully-online bootcamp that includes content modules from EC-Council and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The curriculum covers security design, planning for cyber defenses, and security policy and governance, and it culminates in a comprehensive capstone project. For more information, visit the Post Graduate Program in Cyber Security.
